Remulla: Bato last seen in Pampanga

MANILA, Philippines — Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who has been absent from the public eye since November, is still in the Philippines, supposedly in Pampanga.

Remulla said authorities are tracking Dela Rosa’s whereabouts “once in a while.”

“He’s supposed to be in Pampanga,” Remulla said in an interview.

He again stood by his earlier statement that there is an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the latter’s involvement in the extrajudicial killings in the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Remulla, however, declined to provide details on the warrant’s implementation.

“I can only say it after it is said and done. There are things that cannot be divulged. There is an arrest warrant, but there are things that I am not allowed to say,” he said.

In a separate radio interview, Remulla said he learned of the existence of the warrant through his former colleagues in the Department of Justice (DOJ) and someone acting as a liaison for the ICC.

He said he had an unofficial copy of the warrant on his phone, but did not show it.

The DOJ, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), which has supervision over the Philippine National Police, had earlier said they have yet to receive a copy of the supposed arrest warrant from the ICC.

The DILG also said no Red Notice from the Interpol has yet been issued against Dela Rosa.